The Underworld—Gremory Estate
A sprawling training ground. In the air, a girl hovered, wings unfurled behind her.
Her black hair was tied in a sleek ponytail, her face still soft with youth—thirteen, maybe fourteen. Shrine maiden robes of red and white billowed around her, catching the breeze.
Akeno. Years had passed since she'd last seen Tenra.
She lifted her hand, fingers splayed toward the sky. Her eyes snapped open.
"Lightning!"
Crackling energy surged overhead—a massive magic circle spun into existence, silver-white bolts raining down in a blinding cascade. Thunder roared. The ground below erupted, dust and sparks flying, until the once-pristine arena was left in ruins, scorched and broken.
Akeno drifted down, breath coming quick. She gazed at the devastation, pride shining in her eyes.
So many hours. So many failures. But now, she was strong.
Applause echoed across the field. Two figures approached.
One was a princess—red hair, blue eyes, regal bearing. The other, a silver-haired girl with a quiet, feline grace.
"Impressive as ever, my Queen. Your lightning just keeps getting stronger," Rias Gremory said, clapping as she walked over.
Akeno shook her head, modest. "I couldn't have done it without you, Rias."
She'd inherited her lightning from someone special, but it was the Gremory family's support—and Rias's friendship—that had let her reach this level. Akeno knew it, and she was deeply grateful.
"Koneko, towel," Rias prompted.
The silver-haired girl tugged Akeno's sleeve, offering a soft towel. "Here."
"Thank you, Koneko-chan." Akeno smiled and patted her gently on the head.
Koneko Toujou—her nickname "Koneko" was Rias's invention. Like Akeno, she was one of Rias's servants.
Rias watched them both, a sense of pride swelling in her chest. Koneko was still growing, but Agrippa had once said Akeno's potential was extraordinary. And it was true—since joining the Gremory household, Akeno had grown stronger by the day. Even Rias, who'd seen much, was impressed.
There was pressure, sure, being their master. But no jealousy. Akeno was her Queen, her partner, her friend. Watching her shine, Rias felt nothing but joy.
"By the way, Rias—any news about Tenra?" Akeno asked suddenly.
Rias's smile faltered.
"Tenra, Tenra… you ask about him every day," she grumbled, arms crossed, lips pouting like a sulky child.
Akeno leaned in, teasing. "Oh? Rias, are you jealous?"
"Jealous? Me? Never!" Rias retorted, cheeks blazing red.
Akeno grinned. "You so are. Look at you blush."
"I am not!"
"Are too!"
"Am not!"
Their banter escalated, words becoming playful shoves, then a full-on wrestling match—clothes tugged, hair tousled—until Koneko stepped in, pulling them apart with surprising strength.
Panting, Akeno smirked. "Now, Rias, will you tell me about Tenra?"
Rias glared, biting back a smile. This traitor—after all she'd done for her, Akeno still only cared about that guy!
But in the end, she relented. "No one's seen him lately. Not even the Gremory family has any news."
Akeno's expression dimmed. She hadn't heard from Tenra in so long…
"Don't worry. He's a Phoenix, after all. He'll be fine," Rias said, softer now, her rivalry forgotten.
Akeno nodded. She believed Tenra was safe. But the ache of missing him only grew stronger with time.
Koneko looked up, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "Akeno… is Tenra really that important?"
Akeno stroked Koneko's head, gaze drifting to the distant sky.
"Yes. He's the most important person to me. He's my hero."
—
Romania—Vampire Territory
Since the chaos two years ago, the castle that imprisoned half-bloods had become a fortress. Barriers layered thick around the walls. Outsiders could enter, but no one inside would ever escape.
Today, the courtyard was packed with young vampires, all watching in terror as a man pinned one of their own beneath his boot.
"Come now, my dear sister. Show me your power—the power cursed by the gods."
His sword was buried in the chest of the vampire at his feet, twisting cruelly as he spoke.
Valerie's skin was pale as snow, lips pressed tight with fear. This man—who claimed to be her brother—had appeared out of nowhere. But the wounded vampire on the ground kept screaming, begging for help. Valerie couldn't ignore it. She stepped forward.
The man smiled, lips curling. He pulled his sword free and stepped aside.
"Lord Tenra, I'm sorry… If only I'd listened to you…"
Valerie remembered Tenra's warnings and felt a surge of regret.
Just as he'd said, she possessed the Sacred Gear known as [Sephiroth Graal]. She'd only awakened its power recently.
Tenra had told her never to use it. But a few days ago, a wounded bird had fallen before her. She'd tried to ignore it, but compassion won out—she used her power to heal it. Someone saw. Now, here she was.
Nervous, trembling, Valerie knelt beside the injured vampire, placing her hands over his wound.
A gentle, holy light spilled from her palms. The bleeding wound closed, flesh knitting together in seconds.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Such healing—no one had ever seen its like. The man's crimson eyes blazed with excitement.
"It's real! It's really real!"
He laughed—a manic, triumphant sound. The courtyard fell silent, everyone frozen in fear. Valerie stood helpless, terror gripping her heart.
She didn't know what to do. Or what fate awaited her now.
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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